Background: Transapical aortic valve implantation (TA-TAVI) represents an alternative in patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis (SSAVS) who cannot be operated on or have a high surgical risk. The aim of this prospective multicenter observational study was to assess early and 2-year clinical and hemodynamic outcomes after TA-TAVI.
Methods: From May 2008 to September 2010, 179 patients with inoperable conditions or high-risk patients underwent TA-TAVI at 4 institutions.
The creation of a fistula between the subclavian artery and the oesophagus is extremely rare. All the reported cases of subclavian oesophagus-arterial fistulae have been described either in aberrant subclavian arteries or as caused by foreign bodies in the oesophagus. In this article, a case of fistulous communication between an aberrant right subclavian and the oesophagus managed with the positioning of endovascular prosthesis is presented.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLeft ventricular free wall rupture often presents with an abrupt onset and rapidly progresses towards cardiogenic shock or electromechanical dissociation. The diagnostic pathway is still a matter of debate: echocardiography is commonly decisive but the assessment of coronary artery status is essential in order to optimize the surgical procedure. However, a preoperative coronary angiography could generate a dramatic delay of surgery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Aortic stentless pericardial valves were introduced into clinical practice to combine properties of both stentless and pericardial prostheses. The aim of this single-center retrospective study was to assess midterm clinical and hemodynamic results of aortic valve replacement with the Sorin Pericarbon Freedom stentless bioprosthesis.
Methods: From July 1999 through November 2005, 130 consecutive patients (73 [56.